The Shifting Front of Militant Islamist Violence in the Sahel
Militant Islamist violence in the Sahel continues to shift southward and westward, putting ever more pressure on population centers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—as well as on their coastal West African neighbors.
Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa
Chinese firms are present in over a third of all African port developments, some of which could be used for expanded Chinese naval presence on the continent.
Recalibrating Coastal West Africa’s Response to Violent Extremism
Coastal West African countries can strengthen resiliency to the threat of violent extremism by enhancing a multilayered response addressing local, national, and regional priorities.
Africa’s 2025 Elections: A Test of Credibility to Uphold Democratic Norms
Democratic progress will require policymakers and journalists to recognize and prize genuine processes of democratic participation within Africa’s wide ranging 2025 electoral line up.
Topic in Focus: Counter Narcotics
Africa plays an important role as a transit point for the flow of cocaine between Europe and Latin America, with important security, financial, and public health implications, particularly in West and North Africa. While foreign criminal organizations from South America and Europe continue to dominate, the movement of cocaine within Africa is dependent upon African traders from Morocco and Niger. Police in Africa have also recently dismantled several clandestine cocaine processing labs. Increasing awareness is required to mount effective challenges to cocaine trafficking across the subregion.
Despite challenges of unemployment, corruption, entrenched political leadership, and political violence, many African youth have found constructive avenues to promote peace, effective governance, and reform.